AIDS

Cape Town HIV/AIDS basic precautions include the following:
•Don't ever share needles or syringes
•Practice safe sex at all times
•Equipment should be sterilized
•If you require self-administered injections, take an adequate supply of your own needles
•Avoid tattoos, acupuncture treatment or body piercing from suspect or unsterile operators

Airports

Cape Town airports include the following:
•Cape Town International Airport

Birdlife

Cape Town birds are fairly prolific, with a wide range of endemic and migratory species to be found. Habitats vary from coastal areas to fynbos areas, wetlands and forest, with a large number of species to be found across gardens and even cities. Some of the most famous birds in Cape Town include penguins, which can be found in the wild at beaches such as Boulders Beach in Simons Town, as well in various nature reserves.

Conservation

There are a number of Cape Town conservation projects in place to preserve and protect the region's precious ecosystems, birdlife and wildlife. Some of these projects include nature reserves such as Table Mountain National Park which spans the entire peninsula, Cheetah Outreach, Baboon Watch, Sancob penguin projects, water saving policies and many others.

Culture

Cape Town cultures include the following:
•Food and drink has influences from many different groups
•Street culture is popular with younger residents, especially in the cities
•Music and dance plays a vital role in many cultures
•Performing arts has been a popular pastime for centuries
•Film is a growing culture across the Cape

Customs

Cape Town customs allows for free import of the following:
•Wine - up to 2 litres per person.
•Spirits and other alcoholic beverages - up to 1 litre in total per person
•Cigarettes - up to 200 per person
•Cigars - up to 20 per person
•Cigarette or pipe tobacco - up to 250g per person
•Perfume - up to 50ml per person
•Eau de toilette (scented liquid lighter than cologne) - up to 250ml per person

Health

Cape Town health facilities are generally good - with a wide range of excellent private clinics and hospitals, and overcrowded but fair government sponsored facilities. There are a wide number of pharmacies and local doctors available, and with safe drinking water, no malaria and very few major health risks, Cape Town visits are generally fuss-free.

Innoculations

Recommended inoculations for travel to Cape Town are:
•Hepatitis A
•Hepatitis B
•Typhoid
•Polio Booster
•Rabies
•Tetanus Booster (if you have not had one in the last 10 years)

Languages

Cape Town languages include the following:
•Afrikaans
•English
•Xhosa

Malaria

Cape Town is a malaria free zone, so you will not have to worry about malaria medication, unless you are planning to travel to a malaria zone in South Africa or to a known malaria zone country in Africa. If you are travelling to a malaria zone after your visit to Cape Town, talk to a local doctor about malaria medication you will need to take.

Money

Cape Town money and banking information includes:
•Banks are open Monday to Friday from 9h00 - 15h00, and Saturdays from 8h30-11h30
•ATMs can be found across the entire city, especially within malls or shopping areas
•Online banking can be done at any internet cafe
•Foreign exchange facilities are widely available at malls, airport, hotels and banks
•Credit and debit cards are widely accepted at almost all shops, hotels and restaurants

Phrase

Plants

Cape Town plants are extremely rich and diverse, with an entire floral kingdom to be found across the peninsular. This floral kingdom is Fynbos, which comprises thousands of species found across mountains and woodlands across the Cape. There are about 2, 500 species of plants to be found in the Cape, which is more than the entire plant list of the British Isles.

Religion

Safety Tips

•Cape Town is generally safe to visit however certain precautions are advised
•Keep valuables out of sight and secure in a moneybag under your shirt
•Do not walk around with cameras in full sight, especially in very crowded areas
•Do not leave valuables in your car in plain sight - smash and grabs can be common
•Don't venture into the townships alone or walk around alone in dark streets

Transport

Travel Books

Cape Town recommended travel books include:
•Time Out Cape Town: Winelands and the Garden Route by Time Out
•The Rough Guide to Cape Town and the Garden Route by Tony Pinchuck and Barbara McCrea
•Insight City Guide Cape Town by Dorothy Stannard
•Cape Town Travel Pack by Globetrotter
•Scenic Cape Town by Mark Skinner

Visa Requirements

Cape Town visa requirements are as follows:
•Most visitors do not require a visa - check with your embassy to find out if your country requires a visa or not
•A valid passport of 6 months minimum is required to enter South Africa
•You will need 2 blank pages in your passport to enter the country
•Proof of sufficient funds during your stay is required to enter the country

What To Buy

•Cape Town guide book with a good map
•Plug adapter for UK and US visitors
•Good sized backpack plus a decent moneybag
•Sleeping bag if you are on a camping or overland tour

When To Go

•Summer is generally mid-October to mid-February
•Autumn is February to April
•Winter is May to July and is wet and cold
•Spring falls between August and October

Wildlife

Cape Town wildlife offers some great game viewing opportunities; however most large wildlife can only be found within the reserves and parks around the city and surrounds. One of the most popular wildlife destinations is the Cheetah Outreach Programme at Spier in the Cape Winelands - this venue offers close up views of cheetah as well as other species such as cervil.